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There seems to be a vogue for holding commemorative minute silences at every available excuse as happened on Friday with the silence for Freddie Shepherd. More thought needs to be given for these things. Did Freddie deserve the honour? To those who think he did, I would suggest a look at the obit in The Times. I do not wish to speak I'll of the dead, but I will not distort reality. While I acknowledge the part he played in taking us into professionalism, it was not the totality of his life.

The problem is that for those of us standing, there is no choice about participation unlike the thankfully rare opportunities these days when the National Anthem is played in the theatre and I can exercise the republican option of remaining seated and enjoying the clicking of tongues of disapproval around me.

In the future, I may choose to follow the splendid example of some American football players and "take the knee."

I will go with the club's judgement on this. FS was heavily involved with the club so like him or not it was appropriate. We don't seem to get them at KP except for people who have been significant to the club, so their policy seems about right.

Whether you like him or not he's a human being who has died. Are people saying they can't show one minute of respect for someone who's passed on ? It's not Adolf Hitler or Pol Pot we're talking about here. It's a sad sign of the times that some can't put the thoughts of the deceased person's family ahead of their own feelings. Freddie was never my favourite person but I certainly wouldn't begrudge ONE MINUTE. But, each to their own.

pa8Whether you like him or not he's a human being who has died. Are people saying they can't show one minute of respect for someone who's passed on ? It's not Adolf Hitler or Pol Pot we're talking about here. It's a sad sign of the times that some can't put the thoughts of the deceased person's family ahead of their own feelings. Freddie was never my favourite person but I certainly wouldn't begrudge ONE MINUTE. But, each to their own.

This is certainly a difficult and emotive issue to address. In my day job I have sadly had to repatriate a number of servicemen, women, and victims of the Tunisia shootings. There are alot of terrible things happening in the world and it is a tragedy when loved ones pass away under any circumstances.
That said, we hold a minutes silence on 11 November each year to commemorate the millions of lives lost during wars that have shaped and defined the history of the planet.
I don't think the trend of minutes silences for numerous events or individualsis is acceptable , dignified or correct.
I agree that a minutes applause for someone associated with a club or an event passing away is respectful and dignified .
I appreciate that this is a very emotive think and fully expect a tirade of abuse for lacking compassion but hope some may share my views

Rafpilot2000This is certainly a difficult and emotive issue to address. In my day job I have sadly had to repatriate a number of servicemen, women, and victims of the Tunisia shootings. There are alot of terrible things happening in the world and it is a tragedy when loved ones pass away under any circumstances.
That said, we hold a minutes silence on 11 November each year to commemorate the millions of lives lost during wars that have shaped and defined the history of the planet.
I don't think the trend of minutes silences for numerous events or individualsis is acceptable , dignified or correct.
I agree that a minutes applause for someone associated with a club or an event passing away is respectful and dignified .
I appreciate that this is a very emotive think and fully expect a tirade of abuse for lacking compassion but hope some may share my views

Spot on Rafa. I have observed the November silence since I was a child and recall the time when the London traffic stopped. Even today, I hold the silence even if I am on the street and the world around next carries on unaware of the significance of the time.

You two may have hit the proverbial nail on the head. A minute of silence, or rather two minutes (one for each God-awful war) is appropriate every 11th November until the end of time, in remembrance of nameless millions who have allowed us the freedom to discuss such things. For those who have been good eggs to any particular cause and who are to be remembered for what they have done, a minute of applause is a fitting tribute that will make their families truly proud.

Personally I would have felt a round of applause for Freddy Sheppard as more appropriate to thank him for his efforts rather than a minutes silence but it is very much each to their own. I'm sure the club asked the family first

aidanbIím of the opinion that taking a minute to stop and reflect is a good thing and as we donít do it at the drop of a hat then I am happy to take part and proud that we all observe it in silence.
I prefer the silence rather than clapping which was only brought in because some crowds couldnít show that respect.

Or wouldn't. A display of respect must not be obligatory. Applause is a suitable celebration of a life rather than mourning a death by silence. .

aidanbIím of the opinion that taking a minute to stop and reflect is a good thing and as we donít do it at the drop of a hat then I am happy to take part and proud that we all observe it in silence.
I prefer the silence rather than clapping which was only brought in because some crowds couldnít show that respect.

Or wouldn't. A display of respect must not be obligatory. Applause is a suitable celebration of a life rather than mourning a death by silence. .

I agree with that, in which case you can silently think about the other people you feel deserve the respect. It doesn't have to be a minute for the person who is named.

This is a genuine question, but did Freddie Shepherd have any connection to Falcons? (Sorry if this is a stupid question)

I may be in a minority but I really dislike the minute's applause, whoever it's for, wasn't it only brought in because people couldn't keep quiet during the minute's silence and the minute gradually became shorter and shorter.

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